Hard to define, difficult to practice consistently, easy to think we have it when we don't. This is true not just for the pilots we seek to help, but for ourselves as Disciples of Ston as well. While seeking to help others attain it, we need to be very disciplined in our own exercise of it, verbally, emotionally, and in our choice of actions.

Special thanks to Aranu tonight. You showed up at just the right time and really helped to set the tone that needed to be set and to expose the need of the hour. I still have a hard time seeing another disciple fired upon. I am used to it when it happens to me, but never when it happens to a fellow disciple. Aranu acted in self-control and grace this evening.

Now...on to the pilot we tried so hard to help. One of the main hopes that we have as Disciples, is that capsuleer pilots can learn to choose not to act violently in defense of their "right to possession." At times, it seems unbearable for a pilot to let anyone take even a single unit of Trit from them without trying to blow them to space dust. My hope was that this particular pilot could learn to feel the deep satisfaction of actually choosing not to react to our theft. Here is the irony: The Disciples of Ston intentionally try to provoke reaction through theft while at the same time begging people to excercise the self-determination it takes NOT to react.

In this case, I was pretty sure the pilot would keep firing at me, but at the same time hoped beyond hope that he could be convinced not to, just once. When will the Thralls of New Eden look down and see the shackles they are in and say, "enough" "just once, I am going to choose not to kill even though I can." I was also somewhat disappointed, though not surprised that I could find no one to assist me in helping this pilot (after Aranu left the system).

Before one can learn to be brave, one must learn that he is weak. The illusion of strength will always sustain the arrogance that prevents bravery. Only those who know they are weak on the outside can muster the inner strength of self-control. When this happens and is combined with growing skill, technology, and power, greater good can be done. Are there any in New Eden who are ready for this.

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace and good night.

P.S. Edaine, chill. We understand who you are and aren't. You don't owe us anything.

We, as an organization, have been so busy trying to figure our how to do our work with so few members that we have forgotten to ask our fellow capsuleers to help out and join this organization and work.

We would very much appreciate a forward thinking Amarrian to join our ranks. I will not fill you with any delusion about the challenge for an Amarrian in this job. The Disciples of Ston require a level of pluralism that might be a stretch for an Amarrian. However, it also requires a level of non-violence that is a stretch for a Minmatar and Manwe is doing it. It requires a denial of self which is a stretch for a Gallente, and Dawn is doing it. It also requires a denial of materialistic pursuit, and a Caldari is doing it.

Posted - 2011.06.15 02:57:00 -
[153]
WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO SAY ABOUT YOURSELF

Disciple Aranu and Disciple Momaki had productive work this evening. It began with Aranu's observation of a significant detail in his biography that a pilot included with his profile. This detail had to do with the death of his parents and how it motivates thefts and violence. Aranu continued conversation with him, noting his isolation, unforgivness, and loneliness. This pilot responded with more wit than most pilots we encounter. He also showed enough self control to not be easily provoked. He responded with only minor insults on a couple exchanges. I think what was most productive about the whole exchange, and Aranu may think differently, was that the pilot presented himself as a person of principle, but his encounter with us showed that his principles were weak. This caused pain, and he left the system. We did what we could do.

Another pilot was also challenged on the basis of what he wrote in his own bio. His motto, "kill or be killed" represents the typical fear that most pilots live in or rather "die" in. The pilot's avatar name also represented a wish of sorts; a wish to not be killed. Before much help could be given this pilot, he launched into a torrent of insults and then, blocked our conversation. Being blocked is usually a good indication that the chord has been struck.

The Disciples of Ston wish both of these pilots peace. Always a pleasure to work with Disciple Aranu.

Posted - 2011.06.16 02:39:00 -
[154]
Aranu should come work a night or two in Abudban or Rens. As a Gallente, she posseses a much quicker wit than I do and could probably keep up with some of the rapier slash and jab that happens in these systems more effectively than I can. Maybe I'll come visit Piekura sometime.

Posted - 2011.06.17 02:13:00 -
[155]
SPEAK IN THE LANGUAGE OF PEACE UNTIL YOU ARE UNDERSTOOD

A great mentor of old spoke these words to me a long, long time ago. They form the foundation of self-control and deliberation that characterize the way the Disciples of Ston communicate with the capsuleers of New Eden.

"Until you are understood?" This could be a long, long time. Peace is the single most foreign concept and thus foreign language one can speak in New Eden. Tonight, in Piekura, some seemed to begin to grasp this strange language, others sort of said, "huh?" Still others spoke the lingua-franca of violence. I was destroyed by a pilot who struggled with the concept that anyone could live a life without a concern over losing a ship. In the capsule or in the clone the Disciples have the bare minimum. This means, that the sneers of those who destroy our "free" ships do not penetrate. This frustrates most.

Let the frustration help you translate the language of peace. Stop your violence and stop caring about accumulating more for one hour. Find peace and enjoy it.

The news is that there is no news. That is good from my perspective. Every Monday, our endowment generates enough income to cover the rent in our two offices. There is left over ISK coming in to cover office expansion if it is needed.

Now from news to opinion: I think the Disciples ought to consider training their existing members in infomorph psycology and each getting 3-4 jump clones. Face reality, it is doubtful that you are going to have a fresh batch of new recruits anytime soon. With jump clones, each of you could get out their and try new systems much faster.

Just a thought. The only problem, Ston, is that you couldn't call yourself "unskilled" anymore.

No Disciple, neither Dawn, nor Manwe, nor I every get used to having our vessels destroyed. We especially never grow nonchalant about being podded. And we shouldn't. The advent of cloning has had an adverse effect on even our own self respect of physical life. So, when a disciple takes the risk of helping someone let go of the chains of possession, knowing that violence will be the retribution, I call that brave.

Disciple Aranu has shown a knack for finding the pilot with the most issues and then awakening a reaction. She was destroyed twice tonight in the performance of her mission. This left me and even other pilots in the system to confront the pilot and challenge him to show true bravery. Killing with rights does not equal bravery. I challenged him to join me in one hour of work together with me; to shed his powerful ship, become unarmed and take our risks for an hour. No was his answer. So, I offered him a shot at an unarmed Ibis without rights. Without rights: so the risk would be real and the bravery real. No was the answer.

Bravery is when we face the enemies within, the character deficits that need to be beaten. Bravery is when we exercise self-control rather than the quick way of violence. Bravery is when we take the time to invest in a life of another when we could have been accumulating more ISK. Bravery is never boring. Why are so many pilots bored? Perhaps it is because they are not brave.

Special thanks also to Manwe. I have seen some of your methods in Abudban and copied them. The "brave" question, I got from you. It is a great question to ask. We got a gift from a pilot this evening. I think I'll use it to issue a decoration of bravery to Disciple Aranu.

Posted - 2011.06.20 02:31:00 -
[158]
ARE WE SEXIST FOR FEELING THIS WAY?

In the process of asking our other Disciple Manwe and our Corporate manager, Edaine about awarding Aranu a decoration for bravery I have discovered a common thread in our hearts. We all feel concerned when she is fired upon while doing her work. We all admire her bravery and intelligence in the performance of her duties, and we all feel great pride in calling her "Disciple" and "Aranu." Now the potential thin ice. We feel brotherly towards this sister Disciple, somewhat protective, and very proud.

Now, Aranu, no one asked you first before we agreed to award you this decoration, and maybe that was wrong or presumptuous. If so, please forgive us for this weakness of brotherly affection. Please understand that we respect and admire your ability, courage, and growing mastery of the work. Maybe this reaction was inappropriate. But, if a person can do a wrong thing with the best motives, then this is such a time. Your brother disciples are honored to be associated with you and hope that you will accept the decoration that has been awarded to you in spite of the humility that the Disciples are to show.

The Disciples of Ston bid one and all peaceful coexistence and sufficient rest.

Posted - 2011.06.21 03:55:00 -
[159]
YOU END UP PROVING THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU SET OUT TO PROVE

If there is one thing the Disciples of Ston consistently expose it is this. The capsuleer is a being that is full of self-deception and sometimes so insecure and so eager to prove something, that they leave the most fundamental aspect of their soul unguarded.

The Capsuleer prides himself on his ability to be self-determined, self-guided, self-motivated, etc. Is this so? For some, perhaps, for many, no. Piekura, like many systems in Eve has regular residents. We get to know each other and we tolerate each other's idiosycracies. It is the stranger that comes in with pistols blaring, that makes himself vulnerable to influence. So it was the case earlier this evening in Piekura.

The conversation began, like many with the typical blah blah blah of stupid sexuality and boring bravado. The disciple of Ston bears with such tedium to reveal one singular point. You are not in control. The conversation culminates with a simple statement that I am retiring station side for a little reading... and, by the way, I have controlled your destiny for the last half hour.

It isn't useless items that I have stolen from your wrecks; it is your mind that I have fastened upon and kept held in conversation. If you think you live in a self-determined state, you are deceived. If a fool of a philosopher in an unarmed Ibis can freeze you for one half hour of your life, imagine what true power could do to you.

Don't let this self knowledge offend you and don't be defensive. recognise it and start your journey to freedom. You will never know freedom until you recognise the prison you are in

I ran across a pilot that Aranu and myself had spoken to some time ago. This pilot lost his parents in an industrial accident when he was a young child. The Disciples of Ston try to show mercy when we see people in particular pain. However, I wonder how much more whole people in this universe would be if more showed mercy instead of the typical violence, or worse, indifference. This pilot has found way of coping with his grief by performing a strange ritual of industrial policing. Much healing is needed in the souls of so many.

On a stranger note:I do believe I will be sleeping on the couch tonight. I just can't seem to lie down on the bed in my quarters for some strange reason. Perhaps my neural interface is effecting my motor abilities. I also seem to be walking into walls and I feel so stiff. I hope these strange feelings straighten themselves out.

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace and a good night's rest even if it is on the couch.

What happens when you take from people that which they take for granted? When capsuleers, in particular, because of their attitude of invulnerability and invincibility, see the predictability of their existence challenged, it brings out a very predictable reaction. But first...

I have observed the non-capsuleer world from many lense from simple observation to the reading of history, biography and autobiography. Mere mortals may deny the aspect of change initially, but do not cling to denial like capsuleers tend to do. Non-capsuleers are used to haveing control taken from them by ordinary events in life. Capsuleers have been captured by the delusion of control that they think they possess.

Denial, the reaction I have observed when taking a few changes and focussing on them intently. The observations I have made are not revolutionary, but when pared with suggestion, it brings insecurity out of the wood work. Denial takes the form of everything from dismissal to outright lying about what is happening in an individual experience.

This begs a question. Is it right to play upon basic insecurity? You answer that question on your own. Right or wrong, it is necessary; necessary to expose the mistaken notion that anyone is immortal, even the mighty capsuleer.

Posted - 2011.06.23 12:40:00 -
[163]
DO I HAVE THE TIME TO PURSUE THIS?

When the Disciples of Ston work out in the systems, the most common inner trumoil we discover is frustration expressing itself in anger. Most often this anger strikes out and attempts to denigrate others in whatever way possible. If you have read here before, you know what I am saying. Insult, personal attack, profanity, accusations, etc.

Yesterday, I set upon an experiment to do a sort of "Disciple work" here on this forumn because it is another place that capsuleer "live." As should have predictable, the exact same reactions occurred as do out in space. My only questions is, "Do I have the time to work both places?" We use angry responses to try to help people discover self-mastery by first recognizing their own anger and spite.

The interactions may be found here http://www.eveonline.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=1534314 What I have to decide now is whether or not to directly address the issue of anger or to try to dig it out a bit more first. Our real work is in space and this IGS is only a reporting function. Should I really be workin here?

Posted - 2011.06.24 02:57:00 -
[164]
Met Aranu, Ston. You didn't tell me the whole story of who she is though. I hope it was OK with you that I told her about the decoration. I hope it finally shows on her character info.

Get back here soon, OK. Piekura is a unique place. Not sure I like it. What are you doing, anyway?

While I am on my way back to Piekura, I am catching up on Manwe's log. I am pretty sure, we dealt with the same, "12" year old pilot. Unfortunately, I pretty sure this individual is not twelve but rather much older. Sadly, his devopment is indeed quite arrested.

Now Disciples, part of what make you who you are is the determination to stick with a job and pursue it to the end. That is good sometimes and not good sometimes. After 45 minutes to and hour of listening to "12's" endless sexual monologue, one feels pukishly tired. Disciples, you have permission to sign off when you feel fatigued in these situations.

Having worked with Aranu enough times to discern a pattern, I have found that she will leave system after shorts stints of work. This is healthy. Manwe, you don't have to talk to every pervert out there and don't think that you can help every one of them to grow up.

Let's try to find those who are receptive and see if we can gain ground with them.

You know, I don't think I'll work tonight when I get to Piekura. I think I'll pop out, say hi to those on local and then hit the couch and read.

A particular justification of violence is justification for violence in other situations. This non-sequitor is often encountered by the Disciples of Ston. I recently encouraged a highly experienced warrior who was retiring from a particularly violent career to consider more peaceful pursuits. Someone responded that my pacifism did not take into account the need for violence in the defense of freedom. The functional pacifism of the disciples more than adequately takes into account any justifiable violence in the preservation of peace, defense of the innocents, etc.

Eggers in high sec space do not "need" to be violent, ever. In the context of the Disciples of Ston in High Sec space, violence is always gratuitous, unnecessary, and unfortunately, poorly justified.

Observe, local pirate factions will not ever exceed very limitted number in any system at any particular time. Any pilot can verify this. Run or shield tank. When has any capsuleer ever been noble in their use of violence to defend freedom? Freedom to accumulate large quantities of ISK, perhaps, but that is as far as the "freedom goes."

Ask the capsuleer what is worth fighting for. What is the truthful answer? ISK or sadism (kill boards, etc) is at the bottom of every violent motive. Would any clone pilot run agent missions on principle if there were not reward? I doubt it. Incursion prevention...perhaps there is a possibility.

So wired into ISK is our culture here, that even our "freedom loving governments" (Gallente and Minmatar) provide no way for pilots to free slaves that are rescued during violent clashes. Perhaps if the Gallente and Minmatar would stand on principle, I would concede a real justifiable need for violence at times. Perhaps then, I might suspend my functional pacifism to even assist in such a violent act of liberation.

Up to now, I have yet to hear one logically coherent argument for high sec capsuleer violence.

Posted - 2011.06.29 02:04:00 -
[167]
NEW SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE DISCIPLES OF STON: CORPSE RETURN SERVICE

It has been the long time concern of the Disciples of Ston to bring an awareness to New Eden of the need to diminish violence and add dignity and honor to the existence of the capsuleer.

A great shame upon humanity in this galaxy is the treatment of clone bodies lost in violent encounters in space. They are often sold for a profit to the owners by shucksters in for a quick ISK, or they are distilled into the latest quafe product.

Individually, the Disciples have endeavored to return corpses to their owners, but there is such distrust in this universe, that corpse owners have doubted the sincerity of our efforts. We are now going to consolidate our efforts through a centrally administrated Corpse return service.

Thanks to the efforts of Disciple Manwe, who 1. first made an effort to return a corpse, 2. first thought to turn on his biomass filter setting on his scanner and 3. made a great effort in Jita the last two days to retrieve corpses from the chaos of violence going on there,we have made a start. I was also able to retrieve a body during a short time there this evening.

Below are the names of the owners of the bodies we have recovered. We would like to see to it that you receive these bodies back so they can be treated according to your own death rites.

We are willing to return these bodies by private contract at our own expense free of charge to the owner. The owners need only travel to Korama to pick them up. If that is a hardship, we are willing to travel a resonable distance and deliver a body if so requested.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Many pilots peddle in the sale of clone bodies. For those who are better than that, will you help us recover bodies? Many of you travel in low sec or null sec space. Because the Disciples stay in high sec space, we can only find very few bodies. We are asking the good pilots of New Eden to collect, save, and contract to our CEO Edaine Numenor any bodies you can find for our service. Feel free to write your contract to recoup your contract costs but no more, please. Please contract them to the nearest high sec station convenient to you. Or you may contact any Disciple to arrange pick up.

Perhaps if we put a little dignity back into death, there will be a little less death.

Posted - 2011.06.30 02:22:00 -
[168]
THOUSANDS OF PILOTS AND OUR IMPACT IS SO SMALL

Work began tonight in Piekura with the usual MO. Sometimes I find it a little discouraging when I think of the thousands of clone pilots that are engulfed in a philosophy of greed and violence and how difficult it is to dislodge this philosophy in favor of more temperate pursuits. In spite of this discouragement, it was confirmed again that our method of petty theft continues to be the most effective means of gentle provocation to open pilots up to change and self-knowledge. I was asked tonight if I enjoyed stealing? I don't. But I will keep doing it if it helps me open a crack into the souls of my fellow pilots.

So far, no movement on our new service of returning bodies to their owners. Last night we published the owners of the bodies we have recovered to date. We are barely scratching the surface if that. If other pilots would help us, it would make a big difference.

After making a quick round through the belts of Piekura, I went back into Jita to check on things. There were only eight ships firing on the memorial. Local com was about an equal mix of political debate and sales adds. One could say, that Jita is sliding back to "normal." Please don't confuse the word "normal" with "good." Jita is a place of violence and greed; selfishness and self-service. It is not a center of civilization by any stretch.

I would love for the Disciples to be able to accomplish more, but the odds are long and we are stretched way too thin.

I bid the Disciples of Ston peace, for they need it to persevere in the task.

There is very little to report in that our endowment is paying the bills. We did spend a little of our ISK to decorate one of our members, Dawn Aranu. Other than that, all we are doing is paying the rent. I am suggesting to the Disciples that they discuss among themselves the idea of training infomorph psych so that they obtain jump clones. Manwe could jump back and forth between Ren's and Jita without the travel issues. It could open up many possibilities for the Disciples.

Note to pilots, please help the Disciples by keeping your biomass filter active on you scanners and collecting corpses for the Corpse Return Service that the Disciples have begun.

Here are the owners of the Corpses we have. Please contact us to have Corpse returned.Andrew CarnegeAlexander OmegaFlorenzeJellybirdCold PurvanenAmarrian Temptress

Posted - 2011.07.02 03:04:00 -
[170]
Are you aware that the standard software loaded into our scanners will identify the name of the pilot whose corpse is pinging the scanner? This same software will identify all male corpses as "corpse," while female corpses are given a special designation of "female corpse." This is odd, wouldn't you say?

This is my main topic tonight, because it is so frequently encountered in space. As the Disciples of Ston encounter the anger that is resident within the clone pilot, we first must acknowledge our own. What provokes anger in a a Disciple? Well, Manwe and Aranu will have to answer themselves. What makes Ston Angry? Some may already know the answer to that question. My anger has been exposed on this forum in the past. If I perceive betrayal by a friend, I will get angry. Notice, I said "perceive." Sometimes we get angry merely at a false idea. The was the case with me.

Impatience is a close cousin of anger. I get impatient when a pilot is on the cusp of self-knowledge and then turns back to folly. I have gotten angry when this has happened. Anger most often has to do with loss; loss of trust, loss of influence...

Now to the capsuleer... One could say that the task of the Disciples of Ston is to expose anger and the reasons behind it. Most capsuleer anger is rooted in the loss of assets that have been worked or labored after for a period of time. Sometimes this anger is channeled toward the Disciples after a trivial theft. My guess is that the anger is really towards someone of greater power who took something of significant value. We merely become the pin cushion, weak enough to strike without major consequence.

So, once we expose that anger, then what? Perhaps I can explain it this way: The Disciples hope not to eradicate anger in this universe, but to help people become angry for better reasons. Can anger be Noble? History seems to vindicate a "yes" to that question. Instead of being angry over the loss of a ship, let us be angry over the loss of human dignity. Here is an ironic statement for you to chew on for a while, "Let's get angry over our loss of self-control." Am I suggesting self-controlled anger? Yes.

One last thought tonight. To the fine Gallente who commented above: Yes I have something to hide. I have much to hide. I have inconsistencies in my life like you do. I have mixed motives sometimes like you do. I don't always live up to my ideals. No one completely does. That is probably why we consider "privacy" a basic human dignity. It gives us space to attempt to crawl out of our inconsistencies as we strive to grow.

If my life ever becomes an open book, it will be one without an index. You will have to read it to find the secrets.

What is the difference between Boredom and Tedium? This is a fine point of experience that adults learn early in the realm of work and duty. Capsuleers, on the other hand...

Capsuleers are much like adolescents in their understanding of boredom. It is a large part of their vocabulary and they regularly confuse boredom with tedium. Adults know that duty and work sometimes involve tedium, but I do not remember the last time I heard a non-capsuleer adult complain about boredom.

Now to the lesson from Jita. When I left the system tonight, there was but one little reaper shooting at the memorial. All the mighty vessels had gone back to their "more interesting" activities. What started out as something that all the participants thought of as a matter of principle, became tedious...or, in capsuleer/adolescent terms, BORING!

Now don't be underwhelmed by this observation. This is a pathetic situation. Standing on your values or for a cause will lead to times of tedium. That is adult life, my fine clone pilot. Clones tend to fizzle out because they cannot tolerate tedium. "I'm bored" (intonation: whine). "This just isn't fun anymore." If the capsuleer is to emotionally, ethically, morally, and spiritually grow beyond his egg, he must learn to endure tedium for the sake of persistent causes and values.

Sometimes, I am asked if I get bored as a Disciple of Ston. My answer is an unqualified, never. However, I do find some of our work tedious. I find the endless profanity, sexual buffoonery, and the intellectual pusillanimity of some clone pilots to be exceedingly tedious. The Disciples persist in their work because it is an enduring value to do so. Sometimes we have to endure tedium. It is a risk of trying to help the capsuleer community grow into more mature and complete souls.

Glad to be back in Piekura. Jita will have to be a place that I visit frequently. There is much to learn and do there.

Yes, you heard me right. What clone pilots need more of; a lot more; much, much more; is cognitive dissonance. Pilot training is still conducted as if the pilot was not a clone. Reflexes are honed to kill. Greed is also a finely honed skill. Greed, violence, hatred, malice, and abject selfishness do not produce the inner turmoil that they ought. If they did, perhaps restraint might grow as a skill and the universe would change for better. Cognitive dissonance leads to regret and regret leads to a change of mind. When we sincerely change our mind about a habit or way of living, there is hope that we can take a new direction.

Suggested starting points:

1. Don't kill every rat you see just because you can. In other words, let cognitive dissonance make you think twice before firing.

2. Make a business decision based on "interest" rather than profit. Open a factory to make something interesting even if it doesn't turn a profit. Restrain your greed.

4. Quit your work early now and then just to read a good book. Expanding your mind is a great way to call into question your assumptions and personal rationalizations. Yes, the pain of cognitive dissonance is good. No pain no gain, as they say.

Posted - 2011.07.07 02:58:00 -
[175]
WHEN WORK IS INTERRUPTED BY PEACE AND QUIET

I had every intention of being busy about the work of the Disciples this evening. That intention was interrupted by peace and quiet. Piekura was very low on activity this evening, so I headed off to a 0.4 system adjacent to Korama where I had heard that there was outlaw activity. I found only seven pilots in system and absolute peace. I even brought back a little peace of kernite just to look at. Sorry to say, I had never seen any before.

My mind is tired tonight, so I will not dig into anything deep or profound. I think I will enjoy a cold glass of water and bid you all a peaceful night.

A portion of our endowment interest has been spent to purchase an infomorph psychology skill book for Disciple Manwe Todako. He would like to use jump clones as a means to be more mobile in his work. I won't bother to try and explain that. At this time neither Disciple Ston nor Disciple Aranu have expressed interest in that type of training.

I will say that Manwe's desire to work in the trade hubs is interesting work. I visited Rens and saw what he has referred to a a "wretched hive of scum and villainy."

Although I paid slightly over market price so as to avoid a long trip, we are in good shape financially and are keeping up our rent in our HQ in Korama and office in Ren's.

I applaud Manwe's decision to do this and hope that Ston and Aranu may follow suit.

Disciples of Ston fly rookie frigates with no weapons, rigs, or anything that requires any crew assistance. The risks we take, we take alone. I have often commented on the attitude that capsuleers have towards death. It is time to clarify just what I mean by that.

How many crew members' deaths are you responsible for? How many widows and orphans are you responsible for in your exploits in space. Do you know and care how many non-capsuleers man your frigates, destroyers, battleships, etc? Do you know there names? Do you attend their memorial services? Do you meet their widows, their sons and daughters bereft of a parent?

What about the crew of the other ship; the one you are attacking? You know that the pilot will sail away in his pod and be back for more another day. But the crew, the non-clone crew that has only one life. What of them? You kill them and they do not come back.

Cloning has bread a sinister kind of selfishness; one that does not give even one second thought to the crews that are killed in each violent encounter.

I am not finished. Do you know what life is like for the colonists on your planetary colonies? Do you know what kind of work it is to be a miner on a lava planet? Do you understand the financial desperation involved in signing on for that kind of work? How many die in work related accidents so you can lay your golden egg? There is a passive kind of violence perpetrated by the capsuleer. It is called "greed."

So, whether active or passive, most capsuleers are violent; most are guilty of murder; most do not care; most never see the faces of their crews or colonists.

The Disciples of Ston bid you anxiety, unrest, and emotional dissonance until you face the truth about who you are.

In a recent statement on the slaughter of non-clone crews by Concord standard procedure, I discovered Concord being vigorously defended by one particular capsuleer rather keen on the status quo in New Eden. The regular slaughter of human beings apparently helps create a stable political environment where clones can go about their business accumulating ever more and killing ever more and more.

What is particularly troubing is the intentional naivete that serves to soothe the conscience of those who participate in the killing. Do we really believe that if the combined sovereignties via Concord say that all crew members must sign a contract that they understand and fully embrace the risks of serving a clone pilot, then we are all truly naive.

Greed keeps the capsuleer killing and greed keeps Concord killing. It is much cheaper to kill the crew and let the capsuleer float off in his capsule than to spend the resources to sort out culpability and do true justice. But that's too much work. Lets just assume that the crews are all highly intelligent, literate, cool headed individuals who were given every bit of information they needed before being wisked off into space on some insane capsuleer's violent adeventure. To do otherwise would require the exercise of conscience, intelligence, moral restraint and maybe even goodness.

GOODNESS...that is another topic.

The Disciples of Ston bid you deep and profound grief over the deaths of thousands upon thousands of human men and women serving as crews upon capsuleer ships.

This is what I have been told I must do to address the callousness of those who administrate this communication service. The suggestion that Minmatar slaves be brought in by the Amarr to be forced to use their technical expertise without pay and under threat of torture or death... and I must trust Concord to do justice? I am not feeling particularly hopeful, but I am going to Yulai anyway.

A great sadness of my work is that I have never been able to recover my clone body any of the numerous times I have been pod killed. I know also the same is true for Manwe. To look upon the vessel that housed my consciousness, upon fingers that wrote, voice that spoke, lips that tasted the sweet and sour of a cool lemonade and to grieve the loss of that ever so familiar friend called the body of flesh, this is loss to me; the loss of the corporeality of my consciousness.

I had a conversation this evening that reminded me of why I feel a passion for my fellow capsuleers. We, as sentient beings have lost the ability to deeply grieve. To grieve is to acknowledge that we can lose something or someone of great importance. I am not referring to the loss of a ship or business or sovereignty. I am referring to the loss of something intrinsically connected to our consciousness. Grieving snaps us back to our humanity and saves us from drifting beyond sight of the shore of that humanity.

A big THANKS to the fellow Achura who spoke with me this evening. Sister, please believe that you have not lost sight of that shore. Please. Your speaking showed me that you still feel loss. Grieve it and acknowledge your humanity.

Another thanks to fellow pilots of Piekura. I could not spend but a moment upon my return. Your greetings were a reminder that being away is loss and coming back is gain. Both together define the contrasts of humanity like the lemon and the sugar in perfect combination in a glass of lemonade.

Dear Capsuleer, do not fear the remnants of your humanity; the parts of you that can lose and experience that loss as grief. Taste the tension and balance of that experience and do not resist it.

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